On 27 July 1945, US President Harry S. Truman issues a directive to the Commander of US forces in Germany detailing the measures to be taken to avoid a shortage of raw materials in Europe before the onset of winter.
On 23 January 1947, the Belgian Government, the US military authorities and the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees establish a framework for the resettlement in Belgium of displaced persons currently in the American zone in Germany and guarantee them employment in the Belgian coalmines.
Between 3 and 6 April 1946, at the Emergency Conference on European Cereals Supplies, Herbert Hoover, the US Secretary of Commerce, announces the results of his fact-finding operation on the food situation in Europe.
On 1 June 1946, Germany receives emergency aid parcels from the United States as part of the CARE programme (Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe). The photo shows children observing the parcels being unloaded.
On 27 May 1945, Pierre Dupong, Luxembourg Prime Minister, sends a memorandum to General Sir George W. E. J. Erskine and General Arthur E. Grasset, commanding officers at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in Belgium, stressing the need to remedy the shortage of raw materials and labour in Luxembourg as quickly as possible.
In December 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Economic Committee for Europe describes the level of economic recovery in the various European countries.
Between 3 and 6 April 1946, at the conference on European Cereals Supplies in London, UNRRA adopts a resolution which calls upon all the United Nations countries to act together in order to combat the severe food supply crisis.
‘House of cards’. On 7 February 1946, French cartoonist Mad illustrates the severe food crisis affecting France in the aftermath of the Second World War and emphasises the fragility of the supply system.
